Do you want to have the nicest lawn on the block but don’t have it in your budget to pay for a professional lawn care company? When homeowners think of saving money, most think of turning off lights and limiting water use. Lawn care and gardening cost more than you might imagine, but there are several ways to save money on caring for your lawn.
Compost Waste
Grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps, and other organic waste turn into compost – for free. A small compost bin can turn hundreds of cubic feet of compost each year. In the stores, a small bag of compost can cost upward of $12, especially if you use organic compost.
Spreading compost on your lawn adds nutrients and microorganisms into the soil. Compost becomes a natural fertilizer that’s extremely beneficial for plant growth, and you can make it for free!
Plant Shade Trees
Shade helps to reduce how much you need to water your lawn. Planting huge trees takes decades to grow full size, and who wants to wait that long for their shade? Instead, look at fruit trees. They provide ample shade to help cut down on watering and your AC bills, and they give you free fruit. That’s nothing to complain about!
Add Perennials
Annual plants must be replanted every year, which is time-consuming and costly, especially if you buy plants and seedlings rather than seeds. Planting perennials grow for multiple years, then you can divide the perennials several times over the years.
Limit Water Usage
Watering your lawn can be one of the most costly parts of having a green lawn. Xeriscaping can help you save money. One method is to cut back on the actual size of your lawn because it requires the most maintenance and water. You can add decorative granite rocks and native plants. Plus, landscaping that requires less maintenance also means you save time.
Add drought-tolerant plants to your garden beds that can survive on natural rain or random watering. Succulents are popular, but picking plants that are used to your climate are good picks.
Make sure you water when it actually matters. Watch your lawn and water as needed rather than watering on a set schedule each week. Walk in the grass and check to see if the grass springs back up when you walk on it? If not, that’s the most obvious signs of drought stress.
Grab Lawn Care Supplies in the Fall
If you live in the northern part of the country, nurseries and garden centers start to clear out their supplies in the fall and winter. Most stores don’t plan to carry their stock over the winter, so you can find some great end of the season clearance deals.
Look for bags of grass seeds, fertilizers, soil amendments, and plant seeds. Nurseries have tons of great deals!
Just Use a Sprinkler Attachment
Many people tell you to install a sprinkler system throughout your yard, but if you don’t have the cash for it, just use a sprinkler attachment. All you need to do is attach the sprinkler to the hose and place the sprinkler in your yard. Move the sprinkler every so often to a different spot in the yard.
Check to see if your area has any rules around watering. Some areas, those that have problems with droughts or hot weather, tend to have rules about when you can water your lawn and how long.
Did you know that the best time to water your grass is early to mid-morning? 4 am to 10 am is the best time because it’s cooler outside and the water doesn’t evaporate immediately. Watering in the afternoon isn’t advised because water laying on the grass in the sun can burn, and the water will evaporate quicker than the soil can absorb it.
Mow High and Infrequently
Mowing all the time isn’t good for your grass. Blades of grass need to get nutrients from the sun in order to grow thickly and lush. If you cut your grass too short, you stop the growth process and remove nutrients. According to WikiLawn, one of the best tricks to green grass is to mow on your highest setting and infrequently.
Let your grass grow higher than you typically would let. Cut it sparingly. You should never cut more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. Letting your grass grow taller gives the roots chances to grow deeper into the soil, creating a dense, lush lawn.
Think About Your Grass Variety
Most varieties of grass in the United States love water, so you have to spend money watering. Instead, look for drought-resistant grass varieties that can grow in your location. Also, if you add shade to your lawn, you can add shade varieties that need less rain as well.